1
as in snake
a limbless reptile with a long body
an Aztec carving of a feathered serpent representing the god Quetzalcoatl
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2
3
as in traitor
one who betrays a trust or an allegiance
a serpent in their midst had betrayed the revolutionaries to the authorities
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of serpent
Their breakthrough arrives with a performance of Temple Maiden, a dance tracing the love and envy of two maidens who turn into serpents.
—
Daron James, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Except every Eden contains a serpent, and this one’s viper is particularly venomous.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2026
Even the Tampere Cathedral is a Modernist provocation, with a treatment of the Resurrection by Finnish symbolist Magnus Enckell; a serpent painted into the ceiling; and another painting that depicts death as a kind of caring angel.
—Boris Fishman, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Were a lot of serpents biting people in those days.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for serpent
Daron James, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
Except every Eden contains a serpent, and this one’s viper is particularly venomous.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2026
Even the Tampere Cathedral is a Modernist provocation, with a treatment of the Resurrection by Finnish symbolist Magnus Enckell; a serpent painted into the ceiling; and another painting that depicts death as a kind of caring angel.
—Boris Fishman, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Were a lot of serpents biting people in those days.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for serpent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for serpent
Noun
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The unlikely friends and partners have to save the city of Zootopia again by helping a snake (Ke Huy Quan) on the loose and uncovering a longtime conspiracy against reptiles.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
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Worms and snakes change their body shape continuously to move through tight and complex spaces.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Comedy Central series' new episode, which aired Wednesday, continued its season-long thread of mocking Trump and depicting him in a romantic relationship with Satan.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
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The show continues to run with its gag of depicting Trump with comically small genitals and as Satan’s lover.—
Siladitya Ray,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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It’s populated by craven, cowardly traitors.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
25 Mar. 2026
-
After Kent’s resignation, Republican hawks denounced him as a kook and a traitor to the cause, without touching on the delicate question of why Trump appointed such a disreputable figure in the first place.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Once revived, the viper immediately bites the farmer.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
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The pit viper and three of the geckos are still being formally named and characterized.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Is chocolate devil’s food cake with ganache your favorite birthday cake?—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
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Its theme — that the rich are different, and in not-good ways — meant she’d be forced into a ritualistic game of hide-and-seek, running for her life from her devil-worshipping, masters-of-the-world in-laws.—
Michael Ordoña,
San Francisco Chronicle,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
It’s been three years since Spoon’s last album, Lucifer on the Sofa.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
26 Aug. 2025
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Griffin’s other credits include The Bad Guy, Jersey Boys, Lucifer and S.W.A.T., to name just a few.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Serpent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/serpent. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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